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Advanced Certificate in Medical Laboratory Technology

Overview

The Advanced Certificate (AC) in Medical Lab Technology is a 15 credit, accelerated educational pathway to a career in the clinical laboratory, and is consistent with the licensure guidelines of the NYS Department of Education. This initiative enrolls individuals who have already earned a baccalaureate degree in a biological, chemical or physical science with specific pre-requisites. It serves as an alternative to the BS in Clinical or Medical Laboratory Sciences. Course of study begins with MLS 600 Fundamental Concepts and Techniques in the Medical Lab, a 3 credit course in the MLS program. Successful completion of this course allows assignment of students to a hospital, proprietary lab or other clinical partner for a 10 month full-time rotational traineeship in Microbiology, Hematology/Hemostasis, Clinical Chemistry, Immunology and Blood Banking. While in these labs, students will be responsible for directed self-study in each content area, using detailed curricula, and electronic resources. Upon completion of the 1-1.5 year educational program, students must pass the NYS licensure examination in order to work as medical technologists.

What professional goals will the Advanced Certificate prepare me to achieve?

The AC in Medical Laboratory Technology provides the clinical and didactic education of the Standard Pathway to Clinical Lab Technologist NYS licensure http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/clt/) for individuals who already possess a baccalaureate degree in science. Successful completion of the AC enables candidates to sit for the licensure examination. There are currently many unfilled openings in laboratories that analyze patient specimens in hospitals, private sector and public health institutions. It is projected that demand for laboratory professionals will continue to exceed supply in upcoming years (Bureau of Labor Statistics, http://www.bls.gov).

For whom is this degree program designed?

Perhaps you were planning to attend medical or other professional school following your baccalaureate studies. Maybe you work in a research lab in a medical center and have become acquainted with the work of the diagnostic lab. Plans change. You are a highly motivated, well organized individual, who can study complex material independently and learn from texts and on-line sources. You ask clear and informed questions, and learn from experience.

What are the entry requirements?

You have a BS or BA in science (biological, chemical, physical) with pre-requisite courses (including General Bio or Anatomy and Physiology, General and Organic Chemistry) and minimum gpa of 3.0/4.0. Statistics is a pre- or co-requisite. Ideally, your basic science coursework took place within the past 5 years. If you completed any part of your your bachelor’s degree outside the US, you will need to complete the TOEFL with an acceptable score. Please take the exam before submitting your application.

What will I study? What is the educational format?

The many hundreds of tests (www.labtestsonline.org) performed by medical technologists are typically organized into discipline based categories, such as Hematology, Microbiology, Clinical Chemistry, Blood Banking and Immunology. Your study will begin with MLS 600, a 3 credit overview of the field at the HC Brookdale Center. Successful completion of this course will allow you to enroll in MLS 610 and then 620 (6 credits each), for which you will be assigned to a clinical partner (hospital, independent or public health lab) where you will serve as a full time (approx. 35 hr/week) trainee/intern in each of the major areas listed for a total of 10 months. During your training you will follow a rigorous didactic curriculum in the area to which you are assigned at the time, e.g., Hematology/Hemostasis, while you are training in that area. You will be expected to study independently, probing additional sources and seeking guidance from your mentors in the lab. An MLS faculty member will guide you electronically. You will be examined in each subject area at the end of the section.

How long will I study? Can I complete the Advanced Certificate part-time?

Students begin MLS 600, the preliminary course in Summer Session I. MLS 600 is a traditional format 3 credit laboratory class, allowing work/school and other activities to proceed normally. It must be completed with a minimum grade of a B. You will then be assigned for 10 month training rotation, a full-time commitment that will not readily allow outside work or other courses. The self-study didactic component will fill a significant portion of your time when you are not in the lab. Please note that your training will not completely correlate with the academic calendar, but will be relatively continuous for 10 months from the time of assignment (usually September). Considering possible organizational delays, most students will complete the AC in 13 - 15 months.

Do I need obtain a license to work as a Medical Laboratory Technologist?

Yes. Before you submit any application materials for the AC, please read carefully the clinical lab professions website. Be sure you understand where you fit in, and if this is a suitable career path for you (http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/clt). Remember that there are other routes to licensure, notably a second degree in a traditional medical technology baccalaureate program (www.cuny.edu).

How are credits/tuition structured? Other requirements?

The AC is composed of 15 graduate credits, with associated tuition (http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/onestop/finances/billing/tuition-and-fees-information). There is no financial aid available to students in Advanced Certificate programs. Registration in the appropriate courses will need to be carried out on time according to the advising schedule of the MLS Program that will be published in advance. Application and fees for licensure applications and examinations are the student’s responsibility. Your clinical training will also require the purchase of a liability insurance (about $50/year), medical exams, and immunizations.

Review of candidates will take place after that date. Spaces are limited and competitive, so consider alternative pathways as well.Preparation well in advance is necessary to obtain materials from far away schools, and to make allowance for full time study.

Statement of purpose, 500 words including a bit about the path that brought you to this degree, and motivation to enter the clinical lab profession.

Official transcripts (including proof of degree) from any College/University where you took two courses or more.

TOEFL score if you received your baccalaureate degree in a language other than English (or proof of application to take exam) For more information about TOEFL see: http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/graduateadmissions/faq/toefl-tse-twe-scores

Two brief professional letters (from teachers, employers, etc) who can speak to your academic potential and personal responsibility, as well as your ability to learn independently.

How are AC students evaluated during the clinical rotations?

Performance on written exams following each clinical rotation

Quality of clinical lab work as judged by clinical supervisors

Quality of lab logs submitted to Hunter faculty

Adherance to a high standard of collegial and professional behavior, in the view of clinical supervisors.